WSU Researchers Develop Durable, Eco-Friendly Smart Fabrics
Imagine wearing a T-shirt that tracks your heart rate or socks that analyze your running stride. This futuristic vision is closer to reality thanks to new research from Washington State University (WSU), where scientists have developed a soft, flexible, and washable smart fabric using 3D ink printing.
Published in ACS Omega, the study highlights a major breakthrough in comfort and durability for smart textiles. Unlike earlier approaches that used stiff materials or fragile integrations like conductive threads, WSU’s team used direct ink writing 3D printing to embed carbon nanotube solutions into biodegradable polyester fabrics.
Led by associate professor Hang Liu, the research focused not only on performance but also on wearability and long-term maintenance — critical for real-world use. The fabrics maintained their function after 20 wash cycles, 200 abrasion tests, and 500 stretch cycles, showing excellent conductivity, strength, and sensor performance.
The team also used Cyrene, a biodegradable, non-toxic solvent, making the process safer and more sustainable than conventional methods.
This innovation has vast potential for healthcare, athletics, emergency response, and military applications — offering wearable technology that feels like regular clothing but performs like a smart device.